Former Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam is being probed by the Department of State Services (DSS) for his alleged link with a militia leader, Terwaze Akwazza (a.k.a Gana), The Nation reports.
Three Benue State local government areas – Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum – are reportedly under Akwazza’s control.
According to the newspaper, the secret service is also investigating the ex-governor for allegedly building an armoury in his mansion, which is under construction in Makurdi.
The mansion, which is said to be close to the Ministry of Agriculture in the state capital, is being built by three Israelis.
However, Suswam alleges a frame-up by his rivals, a source close to him said.
Suswam, who has being in detention for fives days, is trying to meet bail terms.
A security source, who pleaded anonymity, promised that Suswam would be freed by the DSS if found to be innocent.
The source told the Nation: “The DSS is looking into the activities of a militia leader in Benue State, Terwaze Akwazza (a.k.a Gana) whose group has been terrorising innocent villagers.
“From security reports, the gang leader has held hostage three local governments – Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum. His group is running a mini-government in the affected local councils with locals paying obeisance, remitting funds and now even taking disputes to the group’s court.
“Although Akwazza initially embraced the Amnesty Programme of the state government, he later reneged and returned to his base in mountainous areas. It is from there that his boys have been killing and maiming innocent citizens.
“The situation in Benue, especially in the three local governments, is getting closer to how Boko Haram started and security agencies cannot sit idle without looking at all clues.”
The source said that some indigenes of Benue have alleged that there is a link between Suswam and Akwazza. “At a point, we got reports that Akwazza boys were providing security for the former governor instead of the Police and the DSS.”
It is alleged that the former governor was in touch with Akwazza even after the militia leader had been declared wanted, the source added
“Detectives are probing whether Suswam facilitated an interview for Akwazza with a television station. There are so many angles to this case,” he said.
Detectives reportedly discovered that the militia leader was heavily armed during the 2015 general elections by some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“But after the poll, the group became unbearable and started waging guerilla attacks on villagers in Benue State.
“This is why we invited the ex-governor to explain his own side. We have not said Suswam is guilty. We are holding him to assist our investigation,” the source said.
Security agencies are also investigating alleged building of an armoury by the ex-governor.
Three Israelis are said to be part of the project but we are yet to establish their role in the bunker,” the DSS source said.
Suswam was detained by the DSS on Sunday after some guns, ammunition, and 45 keys of “exotic” cars were allegedly recovered from two vehicles linked with him.
Also 21 Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os) and 23 designer watches were reportedly discovered in the vehicles – a Mercedes Benz S550 (BWR 135AH), and a Masarati 4.7 (BWR 207 AJ).
The weapons said to have been recovered from the two vehicles are (i) Glock pistol with two (2) magazines and a total of Twenty-Nine (29) rounds of ammunition; (ii) Mini-Uzi with two (2) magazines containing 10 rounds and 4 rounds respectively; (iii) Forty-two (42) extra rounds of ammunition contained in a pack; and (iv) One (1) AK-47.
Suswam’s lawyers are fighting to get him out on bail. But the source said he has been allowed access to his wife and counsel to prepare his defence under caution.
“The DSS has not molested him. His wife brought meals for him on Tuesday. As soon as he meets bail terms, we will release him,” another source told the newspaper.
Suswam’s aides and associates say his arrest is a result of the “bitter partisan politics in Benue State”.
One said:” I don’t have any fact, but I suspect that politics is at play. Suswam is not a violent leader, he has no basis for arming any militia.”
Another associate said: “The DSS should go and read the handover note from Suswam to Governor Samuel Ortom where reference was made to the activities of Akwazza and his men.
“If Suswam was sponsoring the gang, he would not guide Ortom on how to tackle insecurity. It is all politics, despite the fact that the ex-governor has been cooperative with his successor.
“To demonstrate his commitment to peace, the ex-governor recently reconciled with Governor Ortom by visiting him. Suswam is a symbol of peace.”
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY had the privilege of knowing Suswam very closely. It is shocking that he is being linked to violence. Suswam was a man who never liked trouble.
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